They are "Forbidden Fruits"Orange Obsession, Tempting Apple, Passion Fruit and Secret Strawberry.They all pretty much suck.The hearts say things like dazzle and live 4 ever and lamb and bite me and soul mate.

Of course I made Blake buy them for me when he started ranting about it.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

We Got up at 7am for this one.Blakes Dad and his Uncle Gill headed out to Vetrens Blvd. in Metairie at 5am to grab us a spot to watch the parade. Joining Blake and I were his mom and dad, his Aunt Donna and Uncle Gill (his parents best friends)his sister Heather, her husband Will and his brother David. Blake's Uncle Kent and his daughter Amanda joined us a little later.We took a walk down the 3 lane highway, looking at all the people and trying to find some friends of Heathers, and on the way back Blake bought me a big assed Strawberry Daiquiri in a big blinking mug.The parade was fun, with the main Krewe and two smaller ones with truck floats, all in all close to 200 floats in the whole thing.I got more sunburnt, buzzed by noon, and have more beads, toys and a freaking rubber chicken.I also managed to catch Blakes dad his traditional Moon Pie :)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Blake, myself, his brother Chip, Chip's wife Kayla and Blake's friend Mike all headed down into the city last night for the Orpheus parade.Location was in Uptown New Orleans sitting on the median (neutral ground if you are from NOLA) at the intersection of St. Charles ave. and Delachaise St.It was my first night parade and the lights and spotlights and torch bearers really were beautiful.Tons of beads, and a woman next to me kept handing me stuffed animals for my neices.Afterwards was dinner (and more drinks lol) at the New Orleans Hanburger and Seafood Co. (I recommend the thin fried catfish and popcorn shrimp) then home cause we had to be up at 6am to head out to Metairie around 7am for the Krewe of Argus parade that started at 10am.Ill have those pix up later :)

Monday, February 23, 2009

We went to the Parade in Houma today.Barbeque yum food at Kayla's (Blake's sister in law)parents house, then we walked down to the main road for the parade.I got horribly sunburned, and got a crapload of beads and cups.Had a few Abita Mardi Gras Bock's.Spent the day with the love of my life and his family.Went bowling with his Brother, Sister, their Significant Others and a Cousin afterwards.I beat Blake both games :)

All in all, awesome day.

Tomorrow night is the Orpheus parade in New Orleans. Blake and I, his 'rents, his sib's and s.o.'s, and hopefully a few of his friends.I cant wait :)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

PITTSBURGH -- When Pittsburgh residents think of trash, they could be thinking about Mayor Luke Ravenstahl thanks to some new cans with his name on them.

Just months before the primary election, Ravenstahl's administration is spending more than $250,000 to buy 250 new trash cans -- all with his name on them.

"I understand it might look like a lot of money," Ravenstahl said. "You can't simply go to Home Depot to buy a garbage can and put it on the street corner. We're looking for beautification. We're looking to have vibrant looking business districts, and we think it makes good sense to buy a quality garbage can."

The new cans will be distributed in 30 neighborhoods as part of the Taking Care of Business program -- a plan designed to help revitalize neighborhoods.

The head of the neighborhood programs defends putting the mayor's name on trash cans.

Kim Graziani said he is, after all, the mayor and wants people to know "he is responding to the needs of the community."

"A thousand dollars apiece with his name on it and it's your money," said taxpayer Brian Dunlap. "That's pathetic. Put my name on it. I'll get a garbage can for $5. I mean, come on."

"You live in the city. You have some concern about taxpayer money," said taxpayer Craig Clark. "I mean, it's not the brightest thing."

"Given the hard times were facing today, I just can't believe we would spend that kind of money on garbage cans," said taxpayer Art Schwarzaelder. "That's the kind of thing that ought to be audited investigated."

Ravenstahl isn't the first Pittsburgh mayor to put his name on garbage cans. Former mayors Tom Murphy, Sophie Masloff and Pete Flaherty also used trash cans as publicity.

Another issue, however, is that all city purchases over $5,000 require competitive bidding. But Ravenstahl defended skirting the system of accountability, saying his staff was certain the trash can purchase couldn't be matched.

Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

See now I have a problem with this...Kim Graziani said he is, after all, the mayor and wants people to know "he is responding to the needs of the community."

The community needs $1,010.00 Garbage cans? Hey Mayor Oscar The Grouchenstahl (all credit for that to Mikey from The Kiss Freak Show) Have you driven on any local roads lately?? Have you been snowed inside your house because of the halfassed snow removal around here? What about the shitty conditions of our schools, or our public transportation, hell you could of given that money to the Pirates so they could pay for a night of fireworks and bobbleheads.

From the TribLive Opinion page

Ravenstahl's garbageWednesday, February 18, 2009

Pete Flaherty did it. So, too, did Sophie Masloff. Tom Murphy did it and once chided another public official for not. And now, Luke Ravenstahl.

But just because past Pittsburgh mayors used taxpayer dollars for blatant political promotion on public property doesn't make it right.

Three months in advance of the May 19 mayoral primary, trash receptacles with Mr. Ravenstahl's name are being positioned around the city. They're defended as being part of the mayor's "Taking Care of Business" beautification project. But this is pretty egregious and expensive politicking on the public dime.

There are 250 of these glorified garbage cans. They cost an astounding $1,010 each. A quarter-of-a-million-dollar state grant -- tax dollars -- paid for them. A Public Works manager notes that the bulk purchase saved about $100 per trash can. For cryin' out loud, Philadelphia paid only $118 for each of its 697 Center City trash receptacles.

So, when bids were let for these cans, weren't there any cheaper models? Bids? What bids? Ravenstahl's administration didn't seek any bids. It just bought.

Pittsburgh remains in state receivership. Its pension plans are bust. Structural budget deficits loom. And the Boy Mayor is playing politics with grossly overpriced garbage cans. It's reprehensible behavior from a politician in dire need of an open-handed slap from reality.

Please PittsburghI BEG YOU!DO NOT REELECT THIS CHILD TO ANOTHER TERM AS MAYOR!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Ahhhh, Valentines Day.That wonderful time of year when super sickly sweet couples gross out other normal couples and single folks.I don't have Valentines Day, I'm just not into it with my SO being 1000 miles away. Don't get me wrong Id love to be able to spend a V Day with him, but until that happens I'm pretty much MEH about the whole thing.

So.

Here's some lonely hearts from Craigslist for you all to read/mock/pity/be afraid of.

Friday, February 6, 2009

A young woman walked in today wearing a US AIRFORCE uniform.As she was handing me her credit card to pay for some clothing another customer walked up to her, asked her if she was in the service and then handed me money to purchase her stuff for her.He thanked her for her service, told her God Bless you and walked away, leaving us both in shock.It was so nice to see someone do this, so nice to see someone respectfully thanking a member of the military in that way.Made my day, it did.